Port Metro Vancouver says the disruption to its operations from a strike on Monday by up to 400 container truck drivers and the non-unionized drivers who have joined them is having a dramatic effect on the ability of terminal operators to move goods and has stopped 90% of container truck traffic.

Unifor-Vancouver Container Truckers’ Association, on Saturday voted 98 per cent in favour of rejecting a back-to-work plan drawn up by mediators. Picket lines went up at nine separate locations around Metro Vancouver Monday, including the main port of Vancouver and Deltaport as well as at several trucking companies that carry containers to and from the port.

Unionized container truck drivers at Port Metro Vancouver agreed Thursday to vote on a tentative deal drawn up by mediators.

Mediators will conduct an independent review of the key issues including wages, working conditions and wait times at port terminals.

The unionized truckers will vote Saturday on the deal and have agreed to a 60-day truce while the review takes place.

The truckers had threatened to walk out at noon Thursday, but agreed to discuss their outstanding issues after mediators were appointed.

Vessels arriving into Japan on or after the 1^st March 2014 will be subject to the new Japan Advanced Manifesting System (Japan AMS or Japan 24 Hour). This means that manifest information has to be received and submitted at least 24 hours before vessel’s European departure for cargoes destined or transhipped via Japan ports. Therefore all vessels now departing Europe are subject to the advanced manifest requirements.

If Japan have any issues regarding the quality of our data they can issue a DNL (Do Not Load), or if the vessel has departed a DNU (Do Not Unload) or a HLD (Hold) notice which can result in a fine of JPY 500,000.

A winter storm is affecting operations at ports in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said that because of a winter storm, major container terminals closed early on Tuesday and were planning to stay shut on Wednesday.

Due to extreme cold weather which has settled over the eastern North American continent, there have been heavy delays in shipping operations since 4th January 2014. 

Five ships were docked at Montreal awaiting favourable ice conditions in order to depart and there are currently twelve ships tied up at Three Rivers and Quebec awaiting favourable ice conditions in order to transit to Montreal.

As per new rule announced by Nansha (China) Customs, with the implementation of the new manifest system effective from 25 December 2013, shippers with consignment going to Nansha (import delivery and transshipment) must declare the seal numbers (incl. country prefix) of their respective containers.

Failure to provide this important information, incomplete without country prefix or incorrect seal number will mean that these shipments could be withheld by customs and prohibited to proceed with clearance without amendment on the manifest.

Failure to adhere will result in bearing amendment and container shifting or storage costs.

Our next Frozen Groupage Container for Limassol is scheduled to load on the 2nd September. Please contact us for further details should you wish to include any cargo.

The Southern Africa Europe Container Service (SAECS) member lines – Maersk, Safmarine, MOL and DAL have agreed to move their UK call from Tilbury to the new London Gateway Terminal.

The first vessel is planned to call at London Gateway in week 45. The SAECS members are front runners in supporting this new port development in the UK.

This year we are proud sponsors of the International Cheese Awards being held at the Nantwich Show on Tuesday 30th July. Please drop by and visit our stand at the show.

Our next Frozen Groupage Container for Limassol is scheduled to load on the 1st July. Please contact us for further details should you wish to include any cargo.